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Poster Presentation

The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) invites Ontario Tech University graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to participate in our Poster Presentation competition. This event highlights the importance of presenting academic work in a concise, visually engaging format that sparks dialogue and captures the attention of both academic and non-specialist audiences.

By combining text and visual elements such as graphs, images, and tables, participants can present complex ideas in a way that is both accessible and engaging. Participants will gain valuable experience in translating their academic work into an effective visual presentation, receive constructive feedback, and engage with peers, faculty, and the broader community. This competition demonstrates the depth and diversity of graduate and postdoctoral research and encourages participants to refine their communication skills and embrace best practices in scholarly dissemination.

New this year, students are eligible to participate in one of two streams:

  • General stream (All faculties)
  • Canadian Nuclear Laboratories stream (All faculties)

*Both streams are open to all students across all faculties in both research- and course-based graduate programs at Ontario Tech University, as well as current postdoctoral fellows. 

Prizes are awarded separately for each stream. 

Event entrance at Charles Hall.

Eligibility

To participate in the Graduate Showcase, students must meet the eligibility criteria outlined below at the time of the event:

  • Must be registered in a Master's or Doctoral program or currently working as a postdoctoral fellow at the university.
  • Submissions must be a reflection of academic knowledge, work, paper, major project, and/or research.
  • Must be in clear academic standing at the time of the event with a cumulative GPA 2.7 or higher.
  • Doctoral and Master's students who have defended or submitted their thesis, project, paper, or portfolio, but have not yet convocated, are eligible to participate. 
  • Master's students who have convocated and continued on to a Doctoral program, as well as Doctoral graduates pursuing post-doctoral research, are also eligible, provided their poster reflects their progress and ongoing research since their defence.
  • Each participant is allowed to present only one submission at the event.
  • Late submissions will not be accepted.

Poster requirements

  • Dimensions
    • The maximum poster dimensions are 42” wide and 34” tall. Posters cannot exceed either of these dimensions. A poster cannot be "rotated" to fit these dimensions.
    • Posters should be large enough to be easily readable from a few feet away and must adhere to size guidelines to fit within the display area provided at the event.
  • Printing
    • Participants are responsible for printing their own posters. 

Competition rules 

  • Participants must set up their submission at the designated time before the event starts and take them down promptly at the end of the event.
  • Participants must be present at their submission at the time of judging for questions and discussion.
  • Participants will engage with all attendees professionally and respectfully.
  • By participating, you agree to allow the university to use photos and descriptions of your work for promotional purposes.
  • Participants must seek approval from supervisors or course instructors related to the academic work they intend to showcase.
  • Submission should focus on academic work and should not include commercial advertising or promotion of products/services. 

Judging criteria

All posters will be judged according to the following criteria:

  1. Research & Clarity
  2. Content & Understanding
  3. Poster Design & Organization
  4. Engagement & Originality

*All posters must obey size rules; posters cannot be wider than 42" or taller than 34". 

Prizes: General stream

In the general stream, prizes will be awarded in three categories: Best Overall ($1000), Best Visuals ($500), and Most Innovative ($500). 

A total of six (6) awards will be available. Submissions are judged separately at the Master's and Doctoral/Postdoctoral levels, with three winners selected at each level.

Prizes: Canadian Nuclear Laboratories stream

In this stream, prizes will be awarded in four categories: Clean Energy, Health, Environment, and Safety & Security.

 A total of four (4) awards valued each at $1250 will be available. No level distinction is made for awards in this stream.

  1. Clean Energy: Advancing technologies and solutions that support Canada’s clean energy future, including energy systems, decarbonization, advanced technologies, and sustainable infrastructure.
  2. Health: Advancing research and innovation that support human health, medical technologies, radiopharmaceuticals, and improved quality of life.
  3. Environment: Advancing environmental protection, sustainability, waste management, remediation, climate resilience, and stewardship of natural resources.
  4. Safety & Security: Advancing resilience, cybersecurity, safeguards, risk management, emergency preparedness, and secure technologies.
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